Silicone-coated fabric

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a silicone-coated fabric for airbags in which creases can be easily formed by applying heat and pressure, that can be stored compactly, and that exhibits minimal damage on the coated layer when deployed. More specifically, the invention provides a silicone-coated fabric comprising a silicone-based resin coated on one surface of a synthetic fiber woven fabric, and a thermoplastic resin adhering to the silicone-based resin-coated surface, wherein the adhesive strength between the silicone-based resin-coated surfaces is 0.01 to 10 N/cm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a silicone-coated fabric comprising athermoplastic resin adhering to its silicone-coated surface, and to anairbag obtained using the fabric.

BACKGROUND ART

During regular driving, airbags are stored in the steering wheel,dashboard, etc., and in a vehicle collision, a sensor detects the impactand generates high-pressure gas, with which the airbag is inflatedinstantaneously. The inflated airbag prevents occupants from hitting thesteering wheel etc.

Therefore, the fabrics used for airbags are required to, first, havehigh air tightness to minimize gas leakage, second, have appropriatestrength, and third, be able to be folded compactly so as to be storedin a small limited space in a vehicle as described above. A fourthrequirement is that the fabrics be highly responsive and light so thatthe bag is inflated quickly when necessary.

Under such circumstances, coated fabrics conventionally used for airbagsare fabrics in which an elastomer, such as chloroprene, chlorosulfonatedolefin, and silicone, is stacked onto one surface of a plain-weavefabric formed of nylon 66 filament yarn (dtex: 400 to 1100).

Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a fabric for airbags in which asilicone rubber composition obtained by incorporating a thermoplasticresin powder into silicone rubber is coated onto a nylon 66 wovenfabric. In PTL 1, the thermoplastic resin powder is used by mixing withsilicone rubber so that the thermoplastic resin powder is present in thesilicone rubber in a buried state. Further, in PTL 1, the thermoplasticresin powder is incorporated for the purpose of reducing the surfaceadhesiveness of the silicone rubber and improving the texture.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL 1: JP2006-77145A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

To fold a fabric for airbags compactly, a recently used storage methodcomprises simultaneously applying heat and pressure to a base fabric toform creases to fold the fabric more compactly. The storage methodcomprising simultaneously applying heat and pressure to form creases isonly used for non-coated fabrics as a base fabric, rather than forsilicone-coated fabrics, which are currently used mainly as a basefabric for airbags. This is because silicone-based resins used insilicone-coated fabrics are a thermosetting resin, and a silicone-coatedlayer that has already been cured on a base fabric does not easily formcreases by heating; thus, even when a process of forming creases wasperformed by applying heat and pressure, it was impossible to fold thefabric compactly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a silicone-coatedfabric for airbags in which creases can be easily formed by applyingheat and pressure, that can be stored compactly, and that exhibitsminimal damage on the coated layer when deployed.

Technical Problem

To solve the above problems, the present inventor conducted extensiveresearch. The present invention has thus been completed. Morespecifically, the present invention is as follows.

1. A silicone-coated fabric comprising

a silicone-based resin coated on one surface of a synthetic fiber wovenfabric, anda thermoplastic resin adhering to the silicone-based resin-coatedsurface,wherein the adhesive strength between the silicone-based resin-coatedsurfaces is 0.01 to 10 N/cm.

2. The silicone-coated fabric according to Item 1, wherein thethermoplastic resin has a melting point of 50 to 200° C.

3. The silicone-coated fabric according to Item 1 or 2, wherein thecoating amount of the silicone-based resin is 10 to 200 g/m².

4. An airbag obtained by using the silicone-coated fabric of any one ofItems 1 to 3.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In an airbag formed of the silicone-coated fabric of the presentinvention, creases can be easily formed by applying heat and pressure,which enables the airbag to be stored compactly. This airbag has highairtightness as with airbags formed of a conventional silicone-coatedfabric. Furthermore, the use of this silicone-coated fabric enablesproduction of an airbag that can be stored compactly, which isadvantageous since restrictions on vehicle interior designs can bereduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing regarding the arrangement of the thermoplastic resinetc. of Examples 1 and 3 to 5, and Comparative Example 3.

FIG. 2 is a drawing regarding the arrangement of the thermoplastic resinof Example 2.

FIG. 3 is a drawing regarding the arrangement of the thermoplastic resinof Comparative Example 2.

FIG. 4 is a drawing describing the sampling method for evaluation ofcompactness.

FIG. 5 is photographs showing examples of the results of evaluation ofcompactness.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes the present invention in detail.

In the present invention, the term “synthetic fiber woven fabric” refersto a woven fabric woven from a synthetic fiber yarn. The woven fabric isexcellent in mechanical strength and also excellent in reduciblethickness. The structure of the woven fabric may be, but is not limitedto, a plain weave, a twill weave, a sateen weave, a variation of theseweaving patterns, a multiaxial woven pattern, or the like; of these, aplain-weave fabric, which is excellent in mechanical strength, isparticularly preferable.

Usable synthetic fiber yarn may be formed of, in particular, aliphaticpolyamide fibers, such as nylon 66, nylon 6, nylon 46, and nylon 12;aromatic polyamide fibers, such as aramid fibers; and polyester fibers,such as polyethylene terephthalate, polymethylene terephthalate, andpolybutylene terephthalate.

Additionally, synthetic fiber yarn may be formed of wholly aromaticpolyester fibers, poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibers (PBO fibers),ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers, polyphenylene sulfidefibers, polyether ketone fibers, and the like. From an economicalviewpoint, polyester fiber yarn and polyamide fiber yarn are preferable,and polyamide 66 fiber yarn is particularly preferable. These fibers maybe obtained from a starting material, part or all of which is a recycledmaterial.

These synthetic fibers for synthetic fiber yarn may contain variousadditives in order to make it easier to perform the yarn production andsubsequent weaving process. Examples of additives include antioxidants,heat stabilizers, smoothing agents, antistatic agents, thickeningagents, flame retardants, and the like. These synthetic fibers may besolution-dyed yarn or yarn dyed after spinning. The cross-sectionalsurface of a single type of yarn may be a usual round cross-section orirregular cross-section typified by, for example, a triangularcross-section. For the synthetic fiber yarn, it is preferable to use amultifilament yarn containing 72 filaments or more, from the standpointof flexibility and smoothness of the silicone-coated surface. Althoughthe upper limit is not particularly limited, the number of filaments ispreferably 216 or less, since an overly large number of filaments makesthe production of the yarn difficult. The fineness is preferably 0.1 to10 dpf per single yarn of the obtained yarn.

The synthetic fiber woven fabric of the present invention preferably hasan oil amount of 0.20 mass % or less. When the oil amount exceeds 0.20mass %, the adhesiveness with a silicone-based resin decreases. The oilamount is more preferably 0.15 mass % or less, and more preferably 0.10mass % or less. Although the lower limit is not particularly limited,the oil amount is preferably 0.005 mass % or more, and more preferably0.01 mass % or more.

Specific examples of silicone-based resins include additionpolymerization silicone rubber, such as dimethyl silicone rubber, methylvinyl silicone rubber, methylphenyl silicone rubber, trimethyl siliconerubber, fluorosilicone rubber, methyl silicone resin, methylphenylsilicone resin, methyl vinyl silicone resin, epoxy-modified siliconeresin, acrylic-modified silicone resin, polyester-modified siliconeresin, and the like. Of these, addition polymerization methyl vinylsilicone rubber is preferable because the rubber exhibits rubberelasticity after being cured, excellent strength and stretchability, andcost advantages.

When a silicone-based resin is used, a curing promoter may be used.Examples include platinum-based compounds, such as platinum powder,chloroplatinic acid, and tetrachloroplatinic acid; palladium compounds;rhodium compounds; organic peroxides, such as benzoyl peroxide,perchlorobenzoyl peroxide, and orthochloro peroxide; and the like.

To improve the adhesiveness between the silicone-based resin and thesynthetic fiber woven fabric, it is preferable to add an adhesive aid tothe silicone based-resin. The adhesive aid is, for example, at least onemember selected from the group consisting of amino-based silane couplingagents, epoxy-modified silane coupling agents, vinyl-based silanecoupling agents, chloro-based silane coupling agents, and mercapto-basedsilane coupling agents.

In a preferable embodiment, an inorganic filler is also added to thesilicone-based resin. The inorganic filler to be added is preferablysilica particles, which are the most typical filler and which are usedas a filler for reinforcement, viscosity adjustment, heat resistanceimprovement, flame retardancy improvement, etc. of silicone-basedresins. The silica particles preferably have a specific surface area of50 cm²/g or more, more preferably 50 to 400 m²/g, and still morepreferably 100 to 300 m²/g. When the specific surface area is withinthis range, excellent tear strength characteristics can be easilyimparted to the obtained silicone-based resin cured product. Thespecific surface area is measured by a BET method. The silica particlesmay be used singly or in a combination of two or more. Examples of thesilica particles usable in the present invention include naturalsubstances, such as quartz, berg crystal, silica sand, and diatomite;synthetic substances, such as dry silica, silica fume, wet silica,silica gel, and colloidal silica; and the like.

To more easily impart better flowability to the resin compositioncontaining a silicone-based resin and additives, the silica particlesare preferably hydrophobic silica particles in which hydrophobizationtreatment of the particle surface was performed using an organic siliconcompound. Examples of the organic silicon compound includemethylchlorosilanes, such as trimethylchlorosilane,dimethyldichlorosilane, and methyltrichlorosilane;hexaorganodisilazanes, such as dimethylpolysiloxane,hexamethyldisilazane, divinyltetramethyldisilazane, anddimethyltetravinyldisilazane; and the like.

The silica particle content is preferably 10 to 20 mass %, and morepreferably 12 to 20 mass %, based on the entire silicone-based resin.When the silica particle content is less than 10 mass %, the mechanicalstrength of the silicone-based resin is liable to deteriorate. Incontrast, when the silica particle content exceeds 20 mass %, theflowability of the resin composition easily decreases; as a result, thecoating workability is deteriorated, the resin becomes brittle, and theadhesiveness tends to deteriorate.

In the present invention, the silicone-based resin to be used preferablyhas a resin viscosity of 10,000 to 50,000 mPa·sec, more preferably13,000 to 40,000 mPa·sec, and still more preferably 20,000 to 35,000mPa·sec. When the resin viscosity is less than 10,000 mPa·sec, the resinpenetrates into a woven fabric, making it difficult to ensure the resinthickness necessary for achieving heat resistance and airtightness. Incontrast, when the resin viscosity exceeds 50,000 mPa·sec, it isdifficult to adjust the coating amount to 50 g/m² or less. Thesilicone-based resin may be solvent-based or may be solvent-free as longas its viscosity can be adjusted to be within this viscosity range; asolvent-free silicone resin is preferred in consideration of the impacton the environment.

In the present invention, the coating amount of the silicone-based resinon one surface of the synthetic fiber woven fabric is preferably 10 to200 g/m², more preferably 15 to 100 g/m², and still more preferably 20to 50 g/m². When the coating amount of the silicone-based resin is lessthan 10 g/m², the coated layer has a low thickness and is easily damagedwhen the thermoplastic resin adhesion is peeled off. When the coatingamount exceeds 200 g/m², the coated fabric has rigidity too high;therefore, creases cannot be sufficiently formed with the thermoplasticresin adhesion.

Examples of a thermoplastic resin adhering to the silicone-basedresin-coated surface according to the present invention includelow-density-polyethylene resins, EVA resins, polyamide resins, polyesterresins, PVA resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, ionomerresins, and the like.

The thermoplastic resin preferably has a melting point of 50 to 200° C.,more preferably 70 to 150° C., and still more preferably 90 to 120° C.When the melting point of the thermoplastic resin is lower than 50° C.,handling is difficult in high-temperature environments. When the meltingpoint exceeds 200° C., the thermoplastic resin must be heated to a hightemperature to be melted for folding the airbag, undesirably causingthermal deterioration of the synthetic fiber woven fabric and thus areduction in the strength of the airbag.

The thermoplastic resin is applied at least to the silicone-basedresin-coated surface, or to both of the surfaces of the silicone-coatedfabric. In consideration of the cost and ease of the production, it ispreferable that the resin be applied only to the silicone-basedresin-coated surface of the silicone-coated fabric.

When being applied to the silicone-based resin-coated surface of thesilicone-coated fabric, the thermoplastic resin may be in any state,such as a solid state, a state of being melted by heat, or a state ofbeing dissolved in a solvent. In particular, a solid state, which doesnot require energy for melting or a solvent for dissolving, ispreferred.

The amount of the thermoplastic resin applied varies depending on thetype of the thermoplastic resin and is not particularly limited. Theamount is preferably 20 to 400 g/m², more preferably 25 to 350 g/m², andstill more preferably 30 to 325 g/m². When the amount of thethermoplastic resin applied is less than 20 g/m², the creases formed byapplication of heat and pressure for folding cannot be maintained. Whenthe amount exceeds 400 g/m², the adhesive strength, described later,becomes too high between the silicone-based resin-coated surfaces (thesurfaces to which the thermoplastic resin is applied) of thesilicone-coated fabric; therefore, the silicone-based resin-coatedlayers become damaged when the airbag is inflated, which possiblyreduces the air permeability and heat resistance, and thus makes itimpossible to show sufficient performance as an airbag.

When the resin is in a solid state, examples of the method for applyingthe thermoplastic resin to the silicone-based resin-coated surface ofthe silicone-coated fabric include a method of scattering the resinusing vibration etc., a method of spraying the resin using compressedair etc., and a method of pattern processing using dot patterns, gravurerolls, etc. When the resin is in a thermally molten state or a solutionstate, examples include knife coating, roll coating, T-die coating, andother coating methods; ink-jet spraying and other spraying methods; andthe like.

Any pattern of the thermoplastic resin is uniformly placed on the entiresilicone-based resin-coated surface of the silicone-coated fabric. Thepattern may be random, dot, slit, or lattice pattern. A random or dotpattern is preferable since they can suppress an increase in therigidity of the coated fabric, require less energy for applying pressurefor folding, and are unlikely to interfere with the folding of thefabric in any direction.

When the thermoplastic resin is applied to the silicone-basedresin-coated surface of the silicone-coated fabric to form any pattern,such as a random, dot, slit, or lattice pattern, the thermoplastic resinadhering area is preferably 1 to 45%, more preferably 3 to 40%, andstill more preferably 5 to 35%. When the resin adhering area is lessthan 1%, creases formed by applying heat and pressure for folding cannotbe maintained. When the resin adhering area exceeds 45%, the adhesivestrength, described later, becomes too high between the silicone-basedresin-coated surfaces (the surfaces to which the thermoplastic resin isapplied) of the silicone-coated fabric. Thus, when the airbag isinflated, the silicone-based resin-coated layers become damaged,possibly reducing the air permeability and heat resistance, and makingit impossible to show sufficient performance as an airbag.

The method of allowing the thermoplastic resin to be adhered andimmobilized on the silicone-based resin-coated surface of thesilicone-coated fabric includes an immobilization method comprisingusing an adhesive beforehand on the coated surface. Alternatively, theresin after being disposed may be heated to melt and cooled tosolidification to achieve physical adhesion. When the resin is in amolten state, solidification by cooling is preferable. When the resin isin a solution state, the immobilization method above, a method ofperforming melting while evaporating the solvent by heating to achievephysical adhesion, or a method of curing the solvent itself by heatingor by ultraviolet rays for immobilization may be selected.

The adhesive strength between the silicone-based resin-coated surfaces(the surfaces to which the thermoplastic resin is applied) of thesilicone-coated fabric is 0.01 to 10 N/cm, preferably 0.05 to 8 N/cm,and more preferably 0.1 to 5 N/cm. When the adhesive strength is lessthan 0.01 N/cm, sufficient adhesive strength cannot be obtained, andcreases formed by applying heat and pressure for folding cannot bemaintained. When the adhesive strength exceeds 10 N/cm, thesilicone-based resin-coated layers become damaged when the airbag isinflated, which possibly reduces the air permeability and heatresistance, thus making it impossible to show sufficient performance asan airbag.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is described in more detail below with referenceto Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to thefollowing Examples. The measurement methods used in the Examples are asfollows.

Melting Point of Thermoplastic Resin

A thermoplastic resin (about 5 mg) adhering to the silicone-basedresin-coated surface of a silicone-coated fabric was placed in asampling pan and melted at a temperature elevation rate of 5° C./min inan atmosphere of air flow at 100 ml/min using a DSC Q100 (produced by TAInstruments); the maximum endothermic peak in the obtained endothermcurve was considered to be the melting point.

Air Permeability

Air permeability was measured by a Frazier method in accordance withmethod A defined in JIS L1096 (2010) 8.26.1.

Adhesive Strength

When a silicone-coated fabric was used as a sample, two measurementsample sheets of the same size (width: 5 cm; length: 5 cm or more) werecut from a silicone-coated fabric to which a thermoplastic resinadhered. The two cut sample sheets were stacked so that thesilicone-based resin-coated surfaces to which the thermoplastic resinadhered were facing each other. These sheets were sandwiched betweenmetal plates while leaving the regions of 2 cm from each end for thechucks of a tensile tester to hold. A 1 kg weight was placed on thesheets, which were allowed to stand for 30 minutes in an oven at atemperature±10° C. of the melting point of the thermoplastic resin.After removal from the oven, cooling was performed at 20° C. for 60minutes while the weight was placed on the sheets, thereby producing asample for peeling. The produced sample for peeling was peeled at theadhesive portion at a rate of 500 ram/min by RTM-500; the maximum valuewas read from the obtained chart, and this value was divided by thesample width of 5 cm. The thus-obtained value was considered to be theadhesive strength.

When an airbag was used as a sample, a measurement sample (width: 2 cmor more; length: 2.5 cm or more) was cut from an airbag in a state inwhich the silicone-coated fabrics to which a thermoplastic resin adheredhad been adhesion-treated by applying heat and pressure. In the cutmeasurement sample, the silicone-coated fabrics adhered to each other;thus, a region of 2 cm from one end of the sample was peeled by hand soas to allow the chucks of a tensile tester to hold, and the adhesionportion was peeled at a rate of 500 mm/min by RTM-500; the maximum valuewas read from the obtained chart, and this value was divided by thesample width. The thus-obtained value was considered to be the adhesivestrength.

Compactness

A silicone-coated fabric to which a thermoplastic resin adhered was cutinto a size of 15 cm (warp)×30 cm (weft), and folded parallel to thewarp 6 times in a bellows form so that portions of the silicone-coatedsurface to which the thermoplastic resin adhered were stacked againsteach other (see FIG. 4). The thus-obtained sample was packed into ametal container having a diameter of 45 mm, and a 1 kg metal weighthaving a diameter of 45 mm was placed on the sample, which was allowedto stand for 30 minutes in an oven at 150° C. Thereafter, the resultingproduct was removed from the oven and cooled at 20° C. for 30 minuteswhile the weight was placed on it. The sample was removed from the metalcontainer and then allowed to stand at 20° C. for 30 minutes. The widestportion of the sample after being allowed to stand was measured toevaluate the compactness.

Example 1

A plain-weave fabric was woven from nylon 66 multifilament fibercontaining 72 filaments that had a total fineness of 470 dtex by using awater-jet loom. Subsequently, the fabric was subjected to shrinkageprocessing with boiling water and dry finishing at 110° C. The obtainedwoven fabric had a weave density in the warp and weft direction of 46yarns/2.54 cm.

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto one surface of this woven fabric by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m². Thereafter,an LDPE resin (1050, M30PASS, produced by Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co.,Ltd.) was applied to the coated surface to form a staggered pattern inwhich 14 dots, each having a diameter of 6 mm and a thickness of 1 mm,were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm (see FIG. 1). A heattreatment was then performed at 190° C. for 1 minute to immobilize theLDPE resin on the coated layer surface. Table 1 shows the physicalproperties etc. of the obtained silicone-coated fabric. The obtainedsilicone-coated fabric had an adhesive strength of 0.02 N/cm and acompactness of 55 mm, and creases formed by applying heat and pressurewere well maintained. The air permeability after peeling in the adhesivestrength measurement was almost the same as that before peeling;

thus, peeling did not cause damage to the coated layer.

Example 2

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m². Thereafter,an EVA resin (2030, M30PASS, produced by Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co.,Ltd.) was applied to the coated surface to form a staggered pattern inwhich 14 dots, each having a diameter of 2 mm and a thickness of 1 mm,were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm (see FIG. 2). A heattreatment was then performed at 190° C. for 1 minute to immobilize theEVA resin on the coated layer surface.

Table 1 shows the physical properties etc. of the obtainedsilicone-coated fabric. The obtained silicone-coated fabric had anadhesive strength of 0.17 N/cm and a compactness of 54 mm, and creasesformed by applying heat and pressure were well maintained. The airpermeability after peeling in the adhesive strength measurement wasalmost the same as that before peeling; thus, peeling did not causedamage to the coated layer.

Example 3

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m². Thereafter,an EVA resin (2030, M30PASS, produced by Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co.,Ltd.) was applied to the coated surface to form a staggered pattern inwhich 14 dots, each having a diameter of 6 mm and a thickness of 1 mm,were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm (see FIG. 1). A heattreatment was then performed at 190° C. for 1 minute to immobilize theEVA resin on the coated layer surface. Table 1 shows the physicalproperties etc. of the obtained silicone-coated fabric. The obtainedsilicone-coated fabric had an adhesive strength of 1.8 N/cm and acompactness of 50 mm, and creases formed by applying heat and pressurewere well maintained. The air permeability after peeling in the adhesivestrength measurement was almost the same as that before peeling;

thus, peeling did not cause damage to the coated layer.

Example 4

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m2. Thereafter, apolyamide resin (F915, type L, produced by Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co.,Ltd.) was applied to the coated surface to form a staggered pattern inwhich 14 dots, each having a diameter of 6 mm and a thickness of 1 mm,were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm (see FIG. 1). A heattreatment was then performed at 190° C. for 1 minute to immobilize thepolyamide resin on the coated layer surface.

Table 1 shows the physical properties etc. of the obtainedsilicone-coated fabric. The obtained silicone-coated fabric had anadhesive strength of 3.7 N/cm and a compactness of 45 mm, and creasesformed by applying heat and pressure were well maintained. The airpermeability after peeling in the adhesive strength measurement wasalmost the same as that before peeling; thus, peeling did not causedamage to the coated layer.

Example 5

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m2. Thereafter, apolyester resin (G170, type Z, produced by Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co.,Ltd.) was applied to the coated surface to form a staggered pattern inwhich 14 dots, each having a diameter of 6 mm and a thickness of 1 mm,were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm (see FIG. 1). A heattreatment was then performed at 190° C. for 1 minute to immobilize thepolyester resin on the coated layer surface.

Table 1 shows the physical properties etc. of the obtainedsilicone-coated fabric. The obtained silicone-coated fabric had anadhesive strength of 2.6 N/cm and a compactness of 48 mm, and creasesformed by applying heat and pressure were well maintained. The airpermeability after peeling in the adhesive strength measurement wasalmost the same as that before peeling; thus, peeling did not causedamage to the coated layer.

Comparative Example 1

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m2. Thereafter, athermoplastic resin was not applied to the fabric.

Table 2 shows the physical properties etc. of the obtainedsilicone-coated fabric. The obtained silicone-coated fabric had acompactness of 72 mm, and creases formed by applying heat and pressurewere not maintained.

Comparative Example 2

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m2. Thereafter,an LDPE resin (1050, M30PASS, produced by Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co.,Ltd.) was applied to the coated surface to form a staggered pattern inwhich 14 dots, each having a diameter of 1 mm and a thickness of 0.5 mm,were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm (see FIG. 3). A heattreatment was then performed at 190° C. for 1 minute to immobilize theLDPE resin on the coated layer surface.

Table 2 shows the physical properties etc. of the obtainedsilicone-coated fabric. The obtained silicone-coated fabric had anadhesive strength of 0.005 N/cm and a compactness of 72 mm, and creaseswere not maintained.

Comparative Example 3

An addition polymerization methyl vinyl silicone resin was applied onceto the same woven fabric as in Example 1 by knife coating, and curingtreatment was performed at 190° C. for 1 minute, thereby obtaining asilicone-coated fabric having a coating amount of 30 g/m2. Thereafter,an adhesive (PPX, produced by Cemedine Co., Ltd.) was applied to thecoated surface to form a staggered pattern in which 14 dots, each havinga diameter of 6 mm, were uniformly formed per square of 3.5 cm×3.5 cm(see FIG. 1). Subsequently, an EVA resin (2030, M30PASS, produced byTokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd.) was applied to the portions in whichthe adhesive was applied to form dots, each having a diameter of 6 mmand a thickness of 1 mm. Then, heat treatment was performed at 190° C.for 1 minute.

Table 2 shows the physical properties etc. of the obtainedsilicone-coated fabric.

The obtained silicone-coated fabric had an adhesive strength of 12 N/cmand a compactness of 45 mm, and creases formed by applying heat andpressure were well maintained. However, the air permeability afterpeeling in the adhesive strength measurement greatly increased comparedto that before peeling, which confirmed that peeling caused damage tothe coated layer.

TABLE 1 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Thermoplastic resin LDPE EVA EVAPolyamide Polyester Thermoplastic resin 300 40 300 300 300 adheringamount (g/m²) Melting point of 105 97 97 90 115 thermoplastic resin (°C.) Thermoplastic resin Dia.: 6 mm, Dia.: 2 mm, Dia.: 6 mm, Dia.: 6 mm,Dia.: 6 mm, adhesion pattern dot dot dot dot dot Adhesive strength(N/cm) 0.02 0.17 1.8 3.7 2.6 Compactness (mm) 55 54 50 45 48 Air Before0.06 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.06 permeability peeling (cc/cm²/sec) After 0.060.07 0.06 0.06 0.06 peeling

TABLE 2 Comp. Ex. 1 Comp. Ex. 2 Comp. Ex. 3 Thermoplastic resin — LDPEEVA Thermoplastic resin — 10 300 adhering amount (g/m²) Melting point of— 105 97 thermoplastic resin (° C.) Thermoplastic resin — Dia.: 1 Dia.:6 adhesion pattern mm, dot mm, dot Adhesive strength (N/cm) — 0.005 12Compactness (mm) 72 72 45 Air permeability Before 0.07 0.06 0.07(cc/cm²/sec) peeling After — 0.06 1.93 peeling

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This silicone-coated fabric is suitable for use in a storage methodcomprising folding an airbag more compactly by forming creases bysimultaneously applying heat and pressure to the base fabric, and theuse of the silicone-coated fabric enables production of an airbag inwhich creases can be easily formed by applying heat and pressure, thatcan be stored compactly, and that exhibits minimal damage on the coatedlayer when deployed; therefore, restrictions on vehicle interior designscan be reduced, which is a great contribution to the industry.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1: Thermoplastic Resin or Adhesive-   2: Silicone-coated Surface of Silicone-coated Fabric-   3: Valley Broken Line-   4: Mountain Broken Line-   5: Sample after Evaluation of Compactness of Example 2-   6: Sample after Evaluation of Compactness of Comparative Example

1. A silicone-coated fabric comprising a silicone-based resin coated onone surface of a synthetic fiber woven fabric, and a thermoplastic resinadhering to the silicone-based resin-coated surface, wherein theadhesive strength between the silicone-based resin-coated surfaces is0.01 to 10 N/cm.
 2. The silicone-coated fabric according to claim 1,wherein the thermoplastic resin has a melting point of 50 to 200° C. 3.The silicone-coated fabric according to claim 1, wherein the coatingamount of the silicone-based resin is 10 to 200 g/m2.
 4. An airbagobtained by using the silicone-coated fabric of claim 1.